320 inmates in Stoeung Treng provincial prison are happy to get the opportunity to learn new skills and access to quality health services in the prison. It also places prison officers to further support prisoners to meet their health and skill needs.

The newly established health post and vocational training center in Stoeung Treng prison was inaugurated on 14th June 2018, presided by Excellency Santi Banthit Chan Kimseng, Director of the General Department of Prisons of the Ministry of Interior and Excellency Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Belgian Ambassador for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand; and with the presences of provincial authorities, in-line ministries, donors and partners.

Excellency Santi Banthit Chan Kimseng, Director of the General Department of prisons and Excellency Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Belgian Ambassador for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand presided over the inauguration ceremony of a health post and training center in Stoeung Treng prison

The inauguration is part of the achievement carried out by Caritas Cambodia’s comprehensive prison health care program led by Caritas’s Siem Reap program. Thanks to the support of Caritas Belgium and Caritas Australia for the support. The overarching goal of the program is to maintain and improve the health and well-being" of the prison’s population through the development of a “Comprehensive Health Post Program” including health care, emotional support and Vocational skills training.

Ms. Bernadette Glisse, Program Director of Siem Reap province said “Caritas Cambodia is working at prison, focusing on 2 main sectors namely on health and vocational skill training. On health, Caritas assists with health post construction, construct a “secured room” at each referral hospital to ensure sick inmates are care for with dignity in their own room and with their guards having a comfortable place to stay. Caritas also provides a moto-remorque to facilitate referrals. The Caritas team works closely with the prison health post staffs and strengthens the networking with the Provincial Health Department

Ms. Bernadette Glisse, Program Director of Siem Reap province briefing Caritas’s effort to support health and skill needs for inmates

to enhance ownership and sustainability of the health post with staffing, drugs support, monitoring by the local authorities of the Ministry of Health. Once the health system is well established, secondly Caritas focuses on vocational training for inmates to acquire skills to make a living and adapt into the society after they are released. To achieve that goal, Caritas also initiates and strengthens the network between the Prison and the Provincial Department of Labor-Vocational training to ensure quality skills trainings, certificates delivery to inmates and job placement after release”.

According to Ms. Bernadette, the training center is measured of 17.00m over 5.00m that comprises 3 rooms for various trainings such as: literacy, sewing and electronics and beauty parlor. The building costs of US$ 17,205 is supported by Caritas Belgium and it has been built by 15 inmates and guided by 2 professional constructors from outside the prison. These inmates got a small wage for their work during the construction so that they could purchase extra food or drinks during the work.

Offering a vocational training program is considered as vital rehabilitative approach for the inmates and as for the society. Addressed in the ceremony, Excellency Santi Banthit Chan Kimseng, Director of the General Department of Prisons of the Ministry of Interior emphasized the importance of close corporation with Caritas Cambodia on prison sector in Cambodia. He added the support helps to improve the health status of the inmates, ensuring security, hygiene, and humanity according to the law on prison which contributes to the enhancement of fundamental respects of human rights.

On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Excellency Chan Kim Seng, expressed appreciation and profound thank to partner organizations namely Caritas Belgium, Caritas Australia and Caritas Spain to enable Caritas Cambodia to achieve their ultimate goal.

In terms of prison management front, the Royal Government of Cambodia has been delivering a policy framework on the prison reform which is in line with the rules of the United Nations minimum standard for prison management and consistent to policy and legal and judicial reform strategy of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Excellency Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Belgian Ambassador for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand applauded the achievements. He believed a new health post will address health issues in the prison and all inmates will access to health care support. While the newly established vocational

Excellency Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Belgian Ambassador for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand expressing continued commitment to work with the prison department and relevant stakeholders

training center will light up the lives of the inmates and giving them a second change and hope to build a new lives and eventually contribute to their societies. The inauguration of the health post and vocational training center is the result of collaboration and partnership of donors, the General Department of Prison, Caritas Cambodia and all key stakeholders, to share our role in promoting human dignity of the prisoners by promoting health status and building skills to grow and actively participate in the society

Caritas Cambodia is currently working at 8 provincial prisons and correctional centers with a three-year budget of US$ 463,510 (2017 to 2019) funded by our main donors: Caritas Australia, Belgium and Spain. These 9 prisons of Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Kratie, Mondulkiri, Rattanakiri, Stoeung Treng, Pursat and Pailin offer services to more than 6,000 prisoners, as of December 2017.

Delegation and participants touring the training center, health post and exhibition booth on Caritas’s work in prison

Ms. Bernadette Glisse said for the next 3 years, Caritas Cambodia will strengthen the cooperation with the General Department of Prison, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Education, with the Prison Directors and key stakeholders so that sustainability will be ensured when Caritas will phase out to support other prisons in need of support.